American Made Rods

This is a much revised presentation of the American made rods in the Museum, starting with what are believed to be the earliest with more information about possible makers and characteristics of these rods than we have attempted before. As in all other parts of WVFFM, if you think we have something wrong, please let us know.

Rods from the "Smith Era" and Early Production Rods

Length

12'

Sections

4/2

Material

Ash/Hickory and Lancewood

Maker

Unknown

Accessories

Notes

R0074

This rod is included not because it is definitely American in origin, but because it differs significantly from British made rods of the same period. The material for the first three sections is some light hardwood such as ash or hickory, the tip appears to be possibly lancewood. The way the rod is tapered, continuously from butt to mid is also unlike British made rods which tend to have a defined "grasp". The last thing is the butt cap which seems rather more American in style than British. On a British made rod you would expect a wooden button. Consequently this rod is tentatively identified as American from the last quarter of the nineteenth century, specific maker unknown.

Length

10'

Sections

3/2

Material

Calcutta Cane

Maker

Poss William Mitchell of Brooklyn

Accessories

Notes

R0075

Another rod with a "not wholly determined" origin is this 10' 3/2. Again there are several ambiguities. Although this rod also seems to have provision for a rod spike in the butt, the reels seat itself is unlike any seen on British made rods, - it does however have a superficial resemblance to the reel seats used on the rods of William Mitchell & Son, a New York maker, based in Brooklyn during the last years of the nineteenth century. Other Mitchell-like details are the mortised butt, ferrule stops and the pink thread used for the joint lugs. The rod itself is Calcutta cane with a more typically American pattern of intermediates. This rod has been extensively discussed online and though the Mitchell connection was seriously considered, no firm conclusions were met. Indeed the discussion brought to light a number of British made rods advertised with both mortised butts and leather covered grasps. (I hope to explore these ideas in the Transatlantic Connection as soon as time permits)

Length

8'

Sections

3/1

Material

Calcutta Cane

Maker

Poss Thos Chubb

Accessories

Original bag

Notes

Bait caster R0057

Yes it IS a bait rod, and this is Whiteadder's Virtual FLY Fishing Museum but this rod has so much to offer in telling us about the beginnings of production rods. It is an 8ft 3/1 Calcutta cane. The reel seat is a Thos. Chubb patent, the ferrules are drawn, one piece examples which suggest the rod is later than 1880. Other features are the mortised butt and rattan wrapped handle. Chubb's Post Mills, Vermont factory suffered a succession of fires and floods, with the final conflagration of 1891 leading to the brand, it's assets and patents being acquired by The Montague Rod and Reel Company in 1891.

1895 Chubb Catalogue showing reel seat

Length

11'

Sections

3/1

Material

Calcutta Cane

Maker

Poss Thos Chubb

Accessories

Notes

R0055

Other than the absence of a mortised butt, this could be the equivalent fly rod model to the above bait rod. The long butt cap on the reelseat suggests a possible pre-1900 date, that, and the fact that this rod is 11' long. Again the material is Calcutta cane.

Length

10'

Sections

3/2

Material

Calcutta Cane

Maker

J G Landman

Retailer

Abbey & Imbrie

Model

"Best Eight Strip"

Accessories

formfit

Notes

R0081

J G Landman was, like Mitchell, one of a group of rod makers who were active in New York at around the turn of the twentieth century. In addition to supplying components to other makers, Landman produced rods for a number of sellers including Abbey and Imbrie. The rod can be identified as Landman through the use of red brass moisture dams on the male ferrules. The Pritchard patent reel seat is also a good indicator though Pritchard's patent was actually ceded to Abbey & Imbrie. Landman patented his own reel seat in 1890. This rod is also interesting for having a butt and mid section of eight strip construction with six-strip tips. The rod has been refinished and "modernised" with snake guides, though the second tip retains some of the original drop-ring guides.